A Brief History of the ICD

Lexicon [Measures] - ICD

While the USA follows the DSM, most of the world uses ICD. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a globally used diagnostic tool maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify and code diseases and health conditions.

The latest edition (ICD-11) combined the previously separate diagnoses into a single category: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This change reflects the understanding that autism is a spectrum with varying degrees of severity and manifestations.

• ICD-11 (2018):  The latest edition combined the previously separate diagnoses into a single category: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This change reflects the understanding that autism is a spectrum with varying degrees of severity and manifestations.
• Two Domains: The criteria for ASD are based on two core domains:
• Deficits in Social Communication and Social Interaction: Persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts.
• Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities: This includes stereotyped movements, insistence on sameness, restricted interests, and sensory anomalies.
• Severity Specifiers: The ICD-11 includes specifiers to indicate the severity of the condition and the level of support needed in daily life.
• Associated Features: The classification allows for the inclusion of additional features such as intellectual development disorders and language impairments, providing a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s unique presentation.

• ICD-10 (1992): This edition marked a significant shift by introducing more detailed classifications for autism. Autism was listed under "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" (F84), which included:
• Childhood Autism: Defined by impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviors.
• Atypical Autism: Similar to childhood autism but with an atypical age of onset or atypical symptomatology.
• Asperger's Syndrome: Characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors, without significant delays in language or cognitive development.
• Other PDDs: Including Rett's Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

• ICD-9 (1979): The ninth edition began to recognize autism under the broader category of "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" (PDD), reflecting growing awareness of the condition.
• Defining Autism: ICD-10
• ICD-7 (1955) and ICD-8 (1965): These editions continued to expand the classification of mental disorders but did not provide specific criteria for diagnosing autism. Autism was still often misclassified under other psychiatric conditions.
• ICD-6 (1948): The sixth edition of the ICD was the first to include a section on mental disorders, but it did not specifically mention autism. At this time, autism was not widely recognized as a distinct condition.

Related Posts: [DSM], [ICD], [RDoc], [Diagnosis],[Measures]